OSLO, Norway, June 19, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- A total of 1,548,282 bonus shares are being distributed by Statoil (OSE:STL) (NYSE:STO) today, June 19, to more than 60,000 private shareholders who have retained their holding in the company since it was first listed on June 18, 2001. Shareholders will receive one bonus share for every 10 ordinary shares they subscribed for at the listing. After this distribution, Statoil will have 2,166,133,882 outstanding shares.